The Nigeria Police Force is under scrutiny after the Auditor-General’s latest report exposed nearly N2.7 billion in contract and payment irregularities.
The PUNCH reported that the 2022 audit, which reviewed compliance and internal control weaknesses across federal agencies, highlighted abandoned projects, unauthorized contract awards, and payments for works that were never executed at the Force Headquarters.
One of the most significant findings revealed that 14 contracts valued at N1,938,299,452.00, originally listed as ongoing projects in the 2022 budget, were left unfinished.
Instead of completing these projects, the police awarded new contracts that were neither included in the 2022 Appropriation Act nor approved by the legislature.
The auditors noted that these contracts were paid for without reference to the approved budget.
Responding to the report, police management said the projects had been carried over under a “zero-based” budgeting system initiated by the previous administration.
It stated, “The immediate past administration operated a ‘zero-based’ budget; hence, the subject projects were rolled over from 2017 until date.
“The projects had attained various levels of completion but were not funded by successive police administrations, hence, the abandonment.It is advised that a sub-head be provided for inclusion in upcoming budgets to fund such abandoned projects so they can be completed.”
The report recommended that the Inspector-General of Police recover and remit the affected funds to the treasury.
Another case involved the construction of 12 one-bedroom en suite transit camps and the rehabilitation of an administrative block at the Police Pre-retirement Skills Acquisition Centre in Kudan, Kaduna State.
The contract, valued at N141,082,359.45, saw N111,635,864.64, representing 79 percent of the total, paid in November and December 2022. However, auditors found in March 2024 that the transit camps had not been constructed.
Management explained that part of the work had been completed and that the consultant had instructed the contractor to return to the site, but auditors described this response as inadequate.
The audit also flagged irregular payments totaling N4,011,627.89 for additional works on the Inspector-General of Police Conference Room.
While N20 million VAT-inclusive was initially approved, an additional N2,511,627.89 was later authorized for statutory taxes, bringing the total to N22,511,627.89.
Auditors noted that N4,011,627.89, representing VAT and tax elements, should not have been paid to the contractor.
Other irregularities included the full payment of N499,875,500.00 for the unexecuted construction of Police College Phase II in Bashar, Plateau State; the use of 2022 appropriation funds to settle outstanding 2020 liabilities amounting to N112,026,424.00; and the irregular hiring of a Senior Special Assistant to the Inspector-General of Police on revenue and tax matters at a cost of N6,000,000, which auditors said did not follow due process.
The report further questioned the direct procurement of equipment worth N10,080,000.00 for the newly established NPF Database Management Centre, citing violations of procurement guidelines.
Additional concerns were raised over a contract valued at N12,931,000.00, which auditors said lacked adequate documentation.
Weak asset management practices were also noted, including the loss of operational police animals, particularly horses, without proper documentation or accountability.
Several obsolete firearms collected from various police commands were found in the Force Headquarters armoury, but schedules and disposal records were not provided for review.
The Auditor-General concluded that the Nigeria Police Force had failed to comply with financial regulations, procurement laws, and proper documentation procedures.
The report emphasized that these findings would remain valid until the Force implemented the recommended corrective measures.
